ViiV Healthcare is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of therapies for HIV infection that was created as a joint venture by Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline in November 2009 with both companies transferring their HIV assets to the new company. At ViiV Healthcare our scientists are 100% dedicated to finding new ways to limit the impact of HIV on the 35 million people living with the virus.

The goal of the Discovery research team is to identify drug targets, design assays to identify molecules which interact with these targets and develop these molecules through iterative processes to identify novel drug candidates.

As a Senior Director of Discovery Toxicology, you will be responsible for developing the non-clinical safety strategy for ViiV Healthcare’s Discovery portfolio.  In this role, you will manage a talented team dedicated to addressing non-clinical toxicity issues from an investigative and/or mechanistic perspective.  You will work in a highly matrixed global environment and collaborate extensively to evolve preclinical safety strategies based on input from market research, competitive intelligence, and learnings from internal programs.  You will also work to integrate Discovery non-clinical plans with CMC, regulatory, and clinical plans to optimize speed of drug development.  Additionally, you will have the opportunity to oversee the toxicology strategy for compounds in development as a project team member.

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

• Responsible for all aspects of non-clinical safety/toxicology assessment of drug candidates up to and including candidate selection.

• Provide strategic planning and oversight to Discovery lead op teams to ensure robust plans in place to support timely nomination of high-quality molecules for candidate selection.

• Streamline non-clinical safety/toxicology package and overall candidate selection processes by effectively using resources in house (local and GSK) and at CROs.

• Identify areas for improvement and help increase efficiency of operation. Tailor these processes to meet the project needs. Cross train scientists to manage some of these processes.

• Ensure smooth transition from Candidate Selection to Early Development with proactive planning and communication.

• Work with ViiV Head of Discovery to determine areas of focus for investigative toxicology efforts.

• Work with Discovery heads of chemistry, virology, pharmaceutics and DMPK to drive Discovery strategy and optimization of processes.

• Improve overall candidate optimization strategy for long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations, biologics and alternate platforms, working across disciplines.

• Explore strategies for safety assessment of 1) novel LAIs, especially those with limited oral lead-in capability, and 2) biologics/small molecules with host target and potential on target toxicities.

• Explore novel ways to reduce the LAI time for CS / development and number of animal studies by an integrated candidate characterization strategy.

• Collaborate internally with GSK preclinical sciences organization and externally with academic institutions to leverage and enhance scientific capabilities.

• Ensure maintenance of safe and fully EH&S compliant operational practices in the workplace as applicable.

• Responsible for delivery of non-clinical safety/toxicology documents

• Serve as Toxicology team member on Discovery and Early Development projects, as needed.

• Manage and mentor team of Discovery Toxicologists.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

•  Masters OR PhD with 15+ years of experience in toxicology, including 5+ years FLL or Leadership experience across a matrix

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Experience in non-clinical discovery and development of long-acting small molecules, biologics, and/or gene therapy

• DABT (Diplomat of American Board of Toxicology)

• HIV Drug Development Experience

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